Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Ye Olde London Towne

My blog entries are becoming very erratic these days, as opposed to erotic, which is probably a bad thing!

Saturday arrived and off to London I went, on the hottest, stickiest weekend of the year so far. For someone not good in the heat, this probably wasn't ideal but I couldn't miss the chance to catch up with the ladies.

First stop in Camden - Dr Strangebrew. I love, love, love this place and if it was in Brighton, I'd be there all the time. Although slightly off the beaten track (i.e. Camden Road!), this is one of my recommendations to anyone who likes their vintage, likes their coffee, and likes absinthe chocolate cake (if you're lucky!). If they had a website, I'd put a link but instead you can find them on Facebook.

At the mention of 2-4-1 cocktails & 50s music, off we went to ZenSai in Inverness Street. I'm not sure how long this place has been here but I'll be back, should I venture into Camden again - great cocktails and a lovely view of all the nutjobs of Norf Landan.
I can't remember what yummy cocktails I had but one was a peach martini I think - not a cocktail umbrella in sight either! Loved the music in ZenSai and the fact that everyone was really dressed up.

Bored yet folks? I've a bit of a way to go yet you know. Am only half way through our Camden reunion evening! Food next - and on to the Goodfare Restaurant. I used to spend a lot of time in here, over a cheap plate of something italian & a frothy coffee. Situated right opposite the old Food Records office - a great viewing post. We saw Jude Law in there once I'll have you know - all young & pretty, with a tiny baby strapped to him. Those were the days. Sigh.

It wouldn't be a Camden night if we didn't go for a quick drink in our oldest haunt, The Good Mixer. As I mentioned before, this place is just not the same anymore but it had to be done. I didn't get that feeling of excitement in my stomach that I used to get nor was I surrounded by britpop stars but then I wasn't expecting to be. There could well have been bright young things in there but all I noticed was the slight smell of vomit and the caged in area outside - no doubt to prevent alsorts of craziness happening on the pavement. Blah. Hawley Arms next. I hadn't actually been here since my dreadlock days and beautiful Chris who lived in a squat on Eversholt Street (whatever happened to him?). Apparently all the "cool kids" go to the Hawley, along with the likes of Amy Whitehouse and Kelly Osbourne. To be honest, they'd be lucky if they could even fit into the Hawley - it was rammed to the rafters - and not a dreadlock in sight. Final stop and not even worth a new paragraph, The Spread Eagle - another old haunt of ours. I didn't even recognise the place - toilets that worked, food you could actually eat, and sofas. What the? Put me right off it did!

Oh dear, today's blog seems to be just a selection of pub photos. How very boring!

Sunday morning in Soho was lovely. A complete contrast to mad old Camden. Really peaceful and calm, and much more me than Camden is these days. I could have spent all day in Bar Italia if time allowed & will definitely be checking out their selection of cakes - all of them, one by one, til I'm sick! I love everything about Soho - Soho Square, Berwick Street, Frith Street, all of it. I even love the sleaziness of the adult shops and live sex show venues. It's what makes Soho and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, that was my weekend, give or take the odd saveloy or cup of coffee. Not the most exciting blog entry but such is life!

2 comments:

Nice one, Cath. I was also an habitue of the Spread Eagle, and the pub opposite, where they sold lovely Belgian Beer My own (two) visits to the Good Mixer do not make fond memories so I won't bore you with them...and as for Soho, well, it's a wonder my good lady and I don't get assessed to rent, the amount of time we spend there.